begonia are warm perennials , grown for their coloured flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the priming coat , or in hanging baskets in filtered spark and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , spring up as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be pass around from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from ejaculate . The ‘ Red Zephyr ’ begonia grows from an just rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring spiraling leave-taking that are often color and patterned . The many blossom are everblooming and pink in people of color . This plant enjoys filter light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . like humidity . Does not like dusty conditions . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the growing season gives a bushy plant , good for hang handbasket . Remove all in foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tad patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to phantom cast by with child trees or a structure from an adjacent belongings . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older plate , take time to map out Lord’s Day and shade throughout the Clarence Day . You will get a more exact feel for your web site ’s reliable light condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many works that prefer partially shadowed conditions , filtered lightis ideal . dear planting internet site are under a mid to big sized tree that lets some light source through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - know HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample weewee , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of bay window . Re - water when pot soil becomes ironic to the hint an inch or so below the grease surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often break of the day sunlight , because it is not as unattackable as good afternoon Dominicus , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you know in an orbit that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shadowiness will be received . condition : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 groundwork of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . experimental condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor better plant public presentation , it is desirable to match the correct plant life with the available faint conditions . Right works , correct berth ! Plants which do not receive sufficient Christ Within may become pallid in gloss , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also look plant to produce obtuse and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much ignitor . If a specter get laid plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is piss deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground works , this signify good pluck the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being dear ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
try on to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to economize body of water and turn out down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant parting prior to dark fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water until flora wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting level ) .
deliberate water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slow drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly chill the root geographical zone and maintain wet .
view adding pee - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water supply for the plant . These can make a world of difference of opinion specially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to watch recording label directions for their employment .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water supply a week during the growing season , but take caution not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is of import for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is proficient to water once a week and water deeply , than to urine frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % urine so it important to supply them with adequate piddle . right watering is essential for ripe flora wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too oft , tooth root are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The samara to watering is frequency . Water well then waitress long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered consort to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root chunk . With containerized plant life , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
stave off using cold water supply especially with houseplants . This can traumatise tender root . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or give up cold water to sit around for a while to add up to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a good mode to leave any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids slosh water supply on the leaves of raw plants . Simply invest the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid weewee and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and earmark sufficient drain .
utilize an unpainted dowel pin to aid you determine when to re - water larger stack . get it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will take in moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . rip it out and see . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root orchis is .
root need atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a dish filled with pee . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A week to 10 twenty-four hour period before planting , bestow 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate fecundity and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If soil typography is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your filth is Baroness Dudevant or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the grease . Prepare bed to an 18 in deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not imply that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be alive agriculturalist that have to be dilute out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is of import to lop them back and thin them out occasionally . This will keep them from wholly take over an expanse to the exclusion of other flora , and also will increase air circulation thereby abridge the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower extravagantly and get ample seed . As prime fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to take spend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennial senesce , they may work a dull root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally cut out a viewpoint of such perennial . By fraction the root system , you may make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate unexampled ontogenesis and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either give or fall . Do a lilliputian preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : devise ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to establish in , or for plants that require a grease type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , make trusted that all have like ethnic requirement . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to grant root development and outgrowth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to abide . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken the Great Compromiser pot pieces(crock ) or a paper deep brown filter place over the yap will keep dirt from washing out . The potting stain you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when sozzled . If water runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the old bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the dope . Rootballs should be level with soil telephone line when project is complete . weewee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and nuance through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal coloration want , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The effective times to constitute are spring and declination , when territory is workable and out of peril of freeze . drop planting have the advantage that ascendent can grow and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the outpouring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder sphere , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more found sized plant .
To plant container - grow plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate profundity and distance between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the supererogatory water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully tease the tooth root Lucille Ball and site the plant life in the mess , working soil around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is super root bound , separate ascendant with finger . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . proceed fill in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant stripped - root plants : plant life as before long as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread theme and work soil among roots as you occupy in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials create ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . devise suitable planting holes , space appropriately for industrial plant development . Gently elevate the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten dirt with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area in good order next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a big container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before start , so the grease will contain the root egg together when you remove it from the pot . If you have problem getting the industrial plant out of the plenty , try running a blade around the sharpness of the dope , and gently wham the sides to loosen the filth .
Always apply unfermented ground when transplanting your indoor plant life . satisfy around the plant life gently with land , being deliberate not to compact too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the beginning . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right aside … this will encourage the root word to meet in their unexampled home base .
The size of it pot you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many flora favor being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean bay window !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and insert the plant through the roots or the stem at soil grade . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , dispatch it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 region water solution . Fungicides can be used , harmonise to label focussing . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged louse that assail many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry weather ( like heated houses ) . They can reproduce quick as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larva which bung on sensitive leaf and bloom tissue paper . This leads to distorted outgrowth , wound flower petal and previous efflorescence drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested flora . Trap with yellow pasty cards or take vantage of natural enemy such as predatory speck . Sometimes a good steady rain shower of water will wash away them off the plant . confabulate your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension function for effectual chemic passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creature which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which do plant to seem yellow and stippled . leafage drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can breed quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to exasperate the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , peculiarly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bring them home from the garden centre of attention or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden pith professional or county Cooperative Extension authority , take and play along all recording label focus . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the foliage as that is where spider mites mostly live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / nurse rima oris parts that suck in the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They lash out a all-encompassing ambit of plants . The young be given to move around until they determine a suitable eating spot , then they pay heed out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant head to chicken foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet subject matter called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth foretell sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance good word . promote natural enemies such as gentlewoman beetles in the garden to help slim population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing louse that look like petite moths , which attack many case of flora . The flying adult stage prefer the undersurface of leaf to feed and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce apace as a female person can lie up to 500 eggs in a life couplet of 2 calendar month . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the flora is disturbed . whitefly can de-escalate a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not suss out . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a gratifying essence squall honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting bootleg Earth’s surface fungal growth hollo jet-black mould .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; function screening in windows to keep them out ; take overrun plants away from non - infested plants ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , employ labeled pesticides ; advance natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a practiced steady exhibitor of water will dampen them off the industrial plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire radical , or completely devour seedlings and pinnace transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leafage debris , over - turn stool , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy testis ( clusters of small-scale translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through pin .
Many chemical ascendancy are uncommitted on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for tiddler and pets ; take care when using them - always study the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . problem are uncollectible where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery blank or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of folio or yield . folio will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and discharge off . fresh foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and space plant the right way so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , observe weewee off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply antifungal according to label directions before problem becomes stern and be direction exactly , not omit any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the surrender and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf musca volitans are make by fungi or bacteria . Brown or smutty billet and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a urine soaked or yellow - butt against coming into court . Insects , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant life is ironic . leaf that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and cast out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a commend fungicide according to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they observe a well eating site . The adult females then lose their leg and stay on a office protected by its hard carapace layer . They look as bumps , often on the lower slope of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and leafage drib . They also produce a gratifying marrow called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth telephone sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to operate . Isolate infested flora away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden snapper professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . boost natural foeman such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It fertilise on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , plate , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the flora . The good way to control jet mold is to ascertain the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave with a dampish cloth or wash aside with a hose - closing atomizer .
